Volunteer in Nepal: Teaching English at Schools

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr 21, 2009 -
“This was my first overseas volunteering experience and it was unforgettable!  The community I worked with is just wonderful and I have fallen in love with the culture of Nepal.  I was a bit nervous at first but my fears were instantly erased when I met my host family.  Everyone was so warm and welcoming.  I loved getting to know the students in my classes and discovering my hidden teaching skills!  During school holidays in March, I completed the Annapurna Circuit and my appreciation for this beautiful country grew even more. Volunteering is such an enriching experience and I believe that VIN has a program to make use of anyone’s talents.  VIN is a great organization that I would recommend to anyone interested in getting involved in Nepal.   I plan on being a VIN member for life!  Feel free to contact me with any questions.” Corinne Shipley, USA, March, 2007

International volunteers mainly volunteer on formal education - teaching English, creative work or other subjects (i.e. mathematics, environmental science, pure science, international history, and computer science, art, music, sports, P.E. and other vocational subjects) for about ¾ hours a day, five to six days a week. Besides formal teaching, they will be involved in organizing co-curricular activities which encourage students to participate and develop their life-skills. They can also facilitate Children’s Clubs and strengthen those children delivering capacity-building trainings. They will also disseminate information on children's rights, sanitation and hygiene, and adolescent health issues through various informal activities such as debates, quizzes contests, art and elocution competitions, folk song competitions, rallies, street dramas, etc.

Volunteers teach from 2 to 3 hours each day, six days a week. Most of the students range in age from 6 to 13. In Nepal, each school has its own English teachers who assist our volunteers with teaching methods, offer advice on solving communication barriers, and provide suitable curricula for the classroom. English teaching volunteers do not have to be native English speakers. The schools in Nepal are closed during the holidays and exam periods. During these times, VIN will organize alternative tasks for our volunteers, such as assisting in our clubs, English to local youths.
Government school children will be 6 to 16 years of age and the number of students per class can range from 10 to 70. Volunteers also use their time teaching groups before and after school.

Due to lack of resources and other disturbances, schools are often closed, sometimes for days at a time. Therefore, it is very important that volunteers provide lessons after school, for groups of all ages, so that children can continue their studies as well as simply having something to use their time creatively. These classes also reach out to those in the community who cannot attend formal school, either because of financial difficulties or other responsibilities.

Volunteers can involve in other community building activities with our local volunteers. They can help local teachers to collect teaching resources and design effective lessons and co teach their lessons.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10221562/1